Amber & Phil | Cannon Green



Amber and Phil met while working in the same nonprofit organization together in Washington, D.C. Three years later, during a hike in Great Falls, Virginia (the same place where they did their first hike together years prior), Phil surprised Amber with a blanket spread out with flowers and a video playing on a laptop, which included snippets of advice and blessings from family and friends. And what came next? You guessed it, ladies and gentlemen. He got down on one knee and asked THE question. After Amber let out the biggest “yes,” a photographer snuck out from behind her hiding place and the affianced couple had an engagement session, right there on the spot.

For their wedding, the two chose Sarah Beach Photography to capture their Cannon Green nuptials. For Amber, hiring a shutterbug who photographed interracial couples well was something at the top of her priority list and when Amber’s maid on honor found Sarah on Instagram, Amber was immediately smitten. “My mom is dark-skinned, I’m medium-skinned, Phil, his family, and my dad’s family are fair-skinned,” she tells us. “It can be really hard to capture that range well without washing anyone out or turning anyone into a shadow.”

As for our favorite part about this wedding? The incredibly fun portraits that Sarah captured on the sidewalk near the venue. Amber tells us that she isn’t a fan of typical wedding poses so she asked Sarah to focus on the spontaneous, candid shots. (Those are a little more enjoyable anyway, right?) And, since everyone in the bridal party just so happens to be a ham in front of the camera, the photos turned out better than expected. “I think we’ll definitely hang some in our living room and bedroom,” Amber says. “We realized we don’t have any pictures of us hanging at all, so it’ll be a nice addition.” Cheers to the new Mr. and Mrs. on a lifetime of happiness.

Photographer: Sarah Beach Photography | Wedding Coordinator: Bouquets and Bowties | Venue: Cannon Green | Photo Location:  86 Cannon | DJ: Bunn DJ Company | Floral: We Are Petaloso | Hair and Makeup: Shadows and Shears | Bridal Attire: BHLDN | Bridesmaid Attire: Show Me Your Mumu | Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Zara | Getting ready location: Planter’s Inn

The Wedding Row

February 24 2020
Molly and Chris’s colleagues at J.P. Morgan in New York had a feeling the two were perfect for each other and tried for months to set them up. When they finally met up at an event? Cue: magic. Over...

February 24 2020
After Long Islanders Tom and Danielle met in chorus class during their freshman year of high school, it took him a full year to build up enough courage to ask her to be his girlfriend. Her response...

February 24 2020
On the first day of college at the University of Georgia, a complete stranger tried to convince Sarah to drop freshman English; he’d heard the professor was terrible. Turns out the professor was,...

February 14 2020
To all the single ladies (and gents): Valentine’s Day isn’t only for those already in love. As Alex and Pete’s story proves, it may be the perfect day for a meet-cute. Pennsylvania-born Pete was in...

February 12 2020
Four days before Allison and Brendan’s dream Charleston wedding, Hurricane Florence was making its way toward the Lowcountry and the city was under evacuation orders. The Dallas-based couple pulled...

February 11 2020
Courtney wasn’t looking to settle down, but when friends convinced her to take Kristen on a date, something felt different. Before long, they found themselves in a long-distance relationship—Courtney...

February 7 2020
Bumble may be responsible for introducing this couple, but it was a magical first date filled with sushi, hours of conversation, karaoke, and endless laughter that truly brought together Michelle and...

February 6 2020
Maggie and Mike’s story puts a whole new spin on bro-mance. It all started in Chicago when her boss, who was dating a fellow named Eric, wanted to set Maggie up with her boyfriend’s younger brother....